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"These seeds do not require either fertiliser or irrigation. "Because of the low inputs, research has put the farm gate revenue for hemp seed between $4000 and $5000 per hectare."

"The growth of the seeds will also lead to job creation in New Zealand from processing the seed crop into oil, flour, protein and hulled hemp seeds."

Midlands Seed, based in Ashburton, has been an active industry participant driving legislative change in NZ and a representative spoke at the summit.

Its director Andrew Davidson has led Midlands' involvement in the hemp seed supply chain in both New Zealand and Australia since the company's first hemp seed harvest in 2002.

He said the hemp industry needed a broadacre commercial scale, experienced growers and capability to process and use the whole plant.

"This requires capital investment for infrastructure and technology."

Mayor Feyen felt that Council had a role to play, particularly in educating the region on the opportunity that hemp holds.

Founder of Cookie Time and One Square Meal Michael Mayell also spoke at the summit.

He eats three tablespoons of hulled hemp seeds every day and wears hemp clothing, a bio-degradable product.

Mr Mayell says that hemp is the solution to the pollution of rivers and waterways.

Hemp has the ability to remove contaminants from soils, sludges, sediments, and surface water, he said.

In the 1990s, following the earlier nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, along with other plants, hemp was used to clean the soil of contaminating metals in areas near the nuclear power plant. Former Shannon potato farmer Ian Easton attended the summit and said he discovered that opportunities are "immense" in Horowhenua.

"The biggest hassle the industry has is hemp is tarred with the stigma of cannabis," he said.

However as the government works to untangle the legislation to allow the sale of hemp products, he said farmers need to look at building a processing facility and preparing for the "huge" opportunity.

He said he felt that if Council wanted to promote local industries, they should step in and look at supporting and encouraging a local hemp industry.

Mayor Feyen said that Council should be "on the ball," looking at the growing employment opportunities and environmental benefits the industry could bring Horowhenua.

"Council needs to look at how to best assist with enabling that to happen," he said.